Sights (And Sounds) From Lake Como

We’re dashing off shortly to catch our train to Venice, but I just wanted to share a few more snaps of this beautiful place.

Above: had the weather been more predictable, we would have signed up for a lake tour on one of these beautiful open air taxi boats.

Yesterday the predicted rain held off again, so we took the “fast boat” (a hydrofoil) down to the town of Como to have a look around. Just for grins, we took a taxi up to the Villa d’Este to have an afternoon cocktail on the terrace. It was a splurge, but something le Monsieur had wanted to do for some time, as his parents had spent a couple of days here several decades ago.

This is apparently a hangout of the “rich and famous.” I didn’t recognize anyone famous, though everyone I noticed definitely had an air of “rich.” The cast of characters included these little birds who were very brazen about stealing the crackers from our snack tray!

And a pair of ducks who sat patiently at our feet awaiting handouts, just like our dogs! (We did not oblige, didn’t think the nuts, olives and crackers served with the drinks would be good duck food.) The male of the pair was more camera-shy and waddled off when I pulled out my phone. “No pictures! No pictures!”

After drinks we rode back to the town of Como, where we wandered around until it was time to catch our boat up the lake to Bellagio.

“Wandering” usually includes stopping for an espresso for me, and a gelato for le Monsieur. I just thought this cup was so pretty!

It’s tough to say arrivederci to this view, but more adventures (and beautiful scenery) awaits!

And I’ll leave you with this…be sure and turn on your audio to hear the lovely birdsong we’ve been enjoying so much here…

I’m a new recipient of your blog and am thoroughly enjoying it. Just have to share a Villa d’Este experience, speaking of rich and famous. My monsieur and I were staying there in 1988 and happened upon a group of celebrities there for an event. Those of us “d’un certain age” were thrilled to see: Robert Mitchum, June Allyson, Glenn Ford, Ali McGraw, Samantha Eggar, and Bette Davis! Ali and I shared adjacent loungers by the pool, and she commented on the “serious jewels” of most women at the event–and her lack thereof. She was sweet and self-effacing.

Wow – Lake Como looks like a dream. Going to move it up on my priority list of places!! Have you used a particular “tour” guide/company during your visits in Italy? If so, please share your thoughts. (Apologies if you’ve already addressed this in a previous post, I might have overlooked.)

Oh, I did love your Como birdsong, and will go back to it when I need a little burst of Italian joy. We spent a week at Cadenabbia a couple of years ago and visited Bellagio and Como too – it was a wonderful holiday, and I’m so glad you’re enjoying it too. And Venice next – how wonderful!

We are planning a trip to Italy and these posts are not helping! 🙂 You’re making every place look too wonderful! I had narrowed it down to five (!) places for 15 nights and now I might have to add Lake Como back to the list. My brain tells me five is still too many, but my heart tells me I can’t let anything go. Maybe my monsieur will be as fabulous as yours and add some nights to the itinerary. A girl can dream, right? But truly, thank you for all the tips and inspiration!